Project Information
This is a pair of simple oak projects I made for around the house. Both use basic bigbox purchased red oak. I like the look of oak, and it is one of the few easily available woods in my area worth working with. I like to use it for quicker utility type projects. I bought a wagner HVLP sprayer recently and have been working the kinks on these projects.
The first one I did is a drying rack for my wife. It was my first attempt with spraying. I used General Finishes light brown dye. It was a disaster, the tip wasnt screwed on right, and dye went everywhere. Make sure it is on all the way! Once I got that right the General Finishes water based poly went on well.
The other is a work desk for our treadmill. The desk fits tightly on top of the handles, has enough space for a full keyboard/mouse (mini one shown) or laptop, and pockets on the side for remotes and PS3 controller. This puppy works well, it keeps everything where I need it and lets me game while I sweat! Anyone with a treadmill should make one of these. The finishing went better, I mixed dyes (a first for me) to get something closer to my flooring and it went on pretty evenly. The poly gave me some problems however. I tried standing the thing up on its back so I could spray the top and bottom at the same time. This might have worked well, but I sprayed too much at once and some of the dye ran. A little bit more patience would have made this one come out perfectly.
In short: HVLP spraying is good, just follow the directions and dont try to put too much down at once. Oak is good and easy if you need something simple and sturdy around the house!
-Chase
The first one I did is a drying rack for my wife. It was my first attempt with spraying. I used General Finishes light brown dye. It was a disaster, the tip wasnt screwed on right, and dye went everywhere. Make sure it is on all the way! Once I got that right the General Finishes water based poly went on well.
The other is a work desk for our treadmill. The desk fits tightly on top of the handles, has enough space for a full keyboard/mouse (mini one shown) or laptop, and pockets on the side for remotes and PS3 controller. This puppy works well, it keeps everything where I need it and lets me game while I sweat! Anyone with a treadmill should make one of these. The finishing went better, I mixed dyes (a first for me) to get something closer to my flooring and it went on pretty evenly. The poly gave me some problems however. I tried standing the thing up on its back so I could spray the top and bottom at the same time. This might have worked well, but I sprayed too much at once and some of the dye ran. A little bit more patience would have made this one come out perfectly.
In short: HVLP spraying is good, just follow the directions and dont try to put too much down at once. Oak is good and easy if you need something simple and sturdy around the house!
-Chase